Wine Variety: Mencia is an old red grape variety widely grown in the north of Castilla y Leon and Galicia. It has been shown to be identical to the Jaen grape that is cultivated in the Dão region of Portugal. There being greater genetic diversity in Spain, it is likely to have originated there, rather than Portugal. Once ripe, Mencia’s acidity drops rapidly, making it quite a tricky customer to get right.
Wine Region: Bierzo, the region from which this wine comes, was almost as undervalued as the Mencia grape. Yet its star is now rising, thanks to the insightfulness of a handful of young producers. It has in its favour the fact that it lies between the excesses of the Atlantic climate to be found in Galicia and the dry, hot-one-minute-freezing-the-next conditions prevalent in Spain's central tablelands. It has potential, of that there is no doubt. Soils are generally granitic or schistous. Good things are afoot.
Wine Producer: José Antonio García and his wife Julia Peña García work 22 hectares in Bierzo, a vineyard area split between 29 different parcels. Both José and Julia are locals to this region of north-west Spain and together they have resuscitated both the ancient family vineyards and the ruined edifice they now use as a winery.
Single Bottle price shown is duty paid
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£15.00
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Out of stock |
Case of 6 Bottles price shown is duty paid
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£90.00
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Out of stock |
Very deep in the glass; virtually opaque. And a bold mulberry red. The nose has something really laid back and natural about it, showing blue and black fruit: bramble and plum. There are notes of smoke and baked earth; dried herbs, perhaps. The palate is cool, has something natural and slightly reduced about it. The fruit is dense and fresh, has tang and then the tannins scrub the palate clean. There’s energy here: a force that demands some food. Salami would be ideal. Pork belly; duck, maybe. It’s long and vibrant and a really lovely example.
#3wordtastingnote: bramble, dense, fresh
"Produced in the northwestern region of Bierzo from the unsung Mencia grape, this is one of the most intriguing reds I've tasted recently. It seems to carry the aromas of autumn in a glass with its gamey, smoky character, reminiscent of the farmyard. Silky and dense on the palate, it's ideal with slow-cooked pork and fragrant mushrooms." Will Lyons, The Sunday Times, 21/11/2021
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This can be found for every wine under the Wine Details tab.
Most red wines are dry and therefore are indicated with a 1. The sweetness becomes more relevant with white wines, sparkling wines and pudding/dessert wines such as Sauternes and Tokaji.
AVAILABLE: Currently lying in our storage at London City Bond Dinton Woods
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